Interior-player piano.



M. CLARK.

INTERIOR PLAYER PIANO.

APPLIGATIOH FILED APR. 13, 1909.

Patented J an. 16, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET}.

M. CLARK. 1 mrsmon PLAYEB PIANO. ZQPILIUATIOH FILED APR. 13, 1909.

Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MJGLARK.

INTERIOR PLAYER PIANO. APPLIGATION FILED APIL13, 1909.

Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M. CLARK. INTERIOR PLAYER HAND. APPLICATION FILED APR 13 1909 Y W. i." Y 9? N v Patented Jill]. 16, 1912. I 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 JZU/Z%5 7% 6%) H X/ Q comfy? M. CLARK. INTERIOR PLAYER PIANO. APPL IOATIOK I'ILED APIL-IS, 1909.

Patented Jan. 16, 1912/ 5 8HBETBSHEET 5. v

' aft vertical section of a portion of an UNITED srarns Parana? err-ion.

MELVILLE CLARK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

' a To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that l. Mlcnviuac CLARK, a

citizen of the l'nited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful linprovements in Interim-Player Pianos, of which, the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,-forming a part thereof.

The purpose of this invention to pro \ide an improved interior player mechanism 3- is a rear elevation of the upper part of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

w Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the lower part of said structure.

' Fig. 4 is a partly sectional plan view of the operating supplemental action chamber and its slidedevices, section being made horizontally-114M511 the tracker box. The bottom is partly broken away to disclose a slide bar. Figs. 5 and 6 are sections at the line 5-6 on Fig. 4. showing two positions of'the valve which is cut. Fig. 7 is a section at the line 7'? on Fig. .2. Fig. 8 is a section at the line 88 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a section at the line 9-9 on Fig.

7. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a pneumatic action for operating certain valves. Fig. 1.1 is a section at the line 11-11 on Fig. .2.- Fig..12 is a section-at the line l212 on Fig. 2.

The'custolnary parts of an upright piano, which are'show'n in the drawings are rep.

resented'in the usual form and construction, comprising the base or foundation board, A, manual keys, B,- In'ounted thereabove with customary connect-ionfto the iano action indicated conventionallyat the rear end of the keys. The tracker device has a set of ducts comprising three groups the first ;v -r 1 i i forficonnentinn with a principal 'action,'the second group for connection with a supplemental or melody action and the third group for connection with both actions INTERIOR-PLAYER mm Specification of Letters Patent. I

Application fi1ed. April 13,

atented Jan. 16,1912.. 1909. Serial No. 459,623.

and to be used in conjunction with either,

according to the character of the music and. the controller sheets therefor. i

The particular construction of the tracker device, C, is more fully shown and described in my application Serial No. 488,625, filed April 8, *1909. but will be here described sufficiently to indicateits relation to the re- 7 maining parts of the present invention.

Two sets of ducts, D and. E, terminating in two parallel rowsof mouths at the edge "f of thetracker on yhich the controller sheet,

F, travels, area-fi-ltferently spaced to'ac'cominodate' controller sheets differently cut, the row, D', being more widelyspaced than the row, E. The ducts, (Z, of this set are formed in the main :body of the tracker board in customary staggred'arrangeinent to obtain adequate space for the same upon the downwardly facing rib or valve seat, G at the rear side of the tracker.- -The se't of ducts. E, more 'mfrrowly spaced at their mouths than the other set, extend through a downwardly projecting rib, C at the forward side of the tracker, and are connected by flexible tubes, E, with the forward edge of the rib, C the spacing of their continuations in said rib, C being the, same as that of the sch-D, the tubes, E, being splayed or diverged in extending from one rib to theother. The set of ducts, D, comprises 88 ducts for playing the full range of the manual of an ordinary piano.

tures of the middle portion for the same purpose as the corresponding 88 ducts of the set, E, 40 additional ducts, 20 at each end,

of which 38-19 at each endare.for playing melody, the two extreme-ducts being for a supplemental purpose with which the present invention is not concerned, but which is more fully set out in my said application Serial No. 488,625. The flexible The set of .ducts, E, comprises, in addition to S8 apertubes from these additional 40 ducts, 20 at each end, connect with'extensions of the rib, C, at opposite ends of the tracker, C."

Upon the downwardly facing surface of-the rib, C, there is mounted a slideonvalve bar, Gr, having ducts for registration with either the 8 8 duct months of. the set of ducts, D, or the corresponding88 mouths of the ct-s, F-, which open down throughsaid rib, the distribution of said duct-mouths relative to the ducts of the, slide or valve bar,:G, being such as fully explained in my said p plication Serial No."488,625', so'that longitudinal movement "of the valve bar shifts the registration of the ducts-f the barfrom one to the other ofthe two sets, D and E. The

5 particular details of the jarrangement by which this result is obtained are no part of the present invention and will not be further described. For the purpose of the present invention,

it is only necessary to consider the ducts of the set, E, and their connections, and it will be understood that the slide or valve bar, G,-

is represented as adjustetlfor connection of its duets with that set; and that the set of ducts, D, may be ignored in further consideration of this invention. This set of ducts, E, and the flexible tubes which con second group comprising the tubes, 6, which lcad'from the end portions'of the rib, C, so beyond the. range covered by the slide, G, lead directly to .the supplemental action, as clearly seen with respect to .one of them in Fig. 1. A third group comprising two 'portions consisting of ten'tubes, 7, at one end,

and eleven tubes, 7, at the otherend of the.

first group, 5, are branched or forked, as seen in Fig. 3, one branch, E", extending and being connected to a slide, H, on the principal action, having its duets with which 40 the tubes are connected adapted to register.

with apertures leading to proper primary pneumatics of said action and to be moved longitudinally for cutting oil suchcommunication, the other branch, E, extending to a similar slide, J, mounted on the supplemental action and having its ducts to which tubes connect adapted. to register with ports for communication-with proper primary pneumatics of that action and tobe moved. longitudinally for putting off such'commumcation. Below the foundation b0ard,.A, andsuitably supported thereby, and located under the portion of the manual-keys, rearward of their fulcrums, there is mounted a principal pneumatic action comprising the customary motor neumatics, T, and primary pneu matics, t, which need no further description.-'

From the motor pneumatics pitman'rods, U, l-extend up through the foundation-board for actionagainst the under side of the rear ends of the manual keys, respectively, for giving the proper upstroke atfthat end-for operation upon the hammer.

piano.

Above the manual keys, and extending fulcrum's there is mounted a supplemental action, whose motor neumatics, V, are most conveniently mounted in vertical ppsition, as shown, their moving walls being pivoted over the portion thereof rearward of their 1 at the lower end and vibrating at the upper end, and being connected by horizontal pit-v rnen, V with upstanding arms, ll, of bell crank levers, W, 'fulcrumed at'their angle at the lowerend of the action frame, having their rearwardly extending arms engaging under the offset upper ends of. books, I),

with which the keys respectively are pro-' vided atthe rear ends, so that the collapse ofthe motorpneumatics lifts the keys -at therear for causing them to operate upon the hammer action of the piano in the same manner as when thekeys are struck by the operator in. manual playing. I The main exhaust air space comprises two chambers, K and K, both connected with the pumpers, L,'L, through a high tension controllin bellows, M,-whose communication with the said chambers is controlled by *valves,-M and M respectively. A low tension controllingbellows, N, is also, connected with the chamber, K and adaptedwhen collapsed-to close a port of communication,

N whichisrovided from the pumper to said chamber y means of a valve, n, so that when the valve,'M is closed the tension in said chamber, K cannot exceed that which isjmeasured by the resistance of the spring,

N", of said low tension bellows. This chamber, K therefore is termed the low-tension chamber, and the chamber, K being controlled only by the higlr-tension bellows, M,

is termed the high-tension chamber. The

primary chamber of the principal action is exhausted by connection through a passage, P with the low-tension chamber, K. The primary chamber. of\the supplemental action is exhausted by connection from a trunk, P, with the high tension chamber,

K .The-port controlled by the. valve, M

being the sole avenue for .producing suction through the primary pneumatic chamber of the supplementalaction, said action willbe out of service whenever this valve is closed. For closing this valve when; the instrument is .to be used with perforated controller sheet cut for playing without melody or solo supplement, there is provided a motor pneumatic, P, mou ted upon a small exhaust chamber, 'P, nd controlled by primary jpne'um atics, P and P mounted 'within said chamber and having their moving walls-connected together by a loop,- P, so that they move together for operating the inotorpneumatic-controlling valve, P which is positioned and operated in'the usual manner for that purpose. The primary pneumatics,

Pjmd P receivetheir air supply 'throughaction of the flegrible tubes, p and p, which extend to pneumatic,

- nication through a duct, 79 leading ports, g, q, controlled by valves Q Q? as I The primary pneul hereinafter described. matic, 'P whose inflation puts the motor P, in communication with the exhaust chamber, P and collapses said motor pneumatic has an additional air commuout throughthe side wallof the chamber, P

and exterior-1y controlled by a valve, 72, conclosing said port when the motor pneumatic nected with the motor pneumatic, I, for

the motor pneumatic controlling valve .causes it .to move for admission of atmospheric :iii' to the motor pneumatic, I, inflating it for'action upon the valve, M, in theopposite direction from that which was caused by its collapse.

The ports, 1 and q, are formed in any convenient board or supporting member of the structure, as the bottom board, Q, of the tracker board and' roll carriage f 'ame, on which there may be mounted an operating lever, Q which actuates a compound slide valve, Q Q, .(see Figs. 4, 5 and 6), being connected to the member, Q}, which plays between stop shoulders, 9 9 on the member, Q so that at one position shown in F ig. 5 the member, Q covers the'port, q, while the member, Q covers the port, q, and' upon movement of the member, Q9, throughout its range of play with respect to the member Q the port, g, is uncovered, and continuing the movement in the same direction said port, 1;, is closed by the meml.=er, Q, the port, q, being closed throughout the whole movement; and on movement of the member. Q in the opposite direction from the lastposipion, the .port, g, is successively opened'and closed,-while the port, 9, remains closed throughout 'the whole movement. The lever, Q}, is-connected with the slide, J, so that the movement'for set ting that slide at open position successively opens'andcloses the port, q,- as described, while its movement in the opposite direction successively opens and closesthe port, g, as described.

From the motor pneumatic, P, a link, 79, extends'to-a lever arm, m, of a rock shaft,

' 112.. whose arm. m is'op'eratively connected with a valve, M. dVhene'ver the valve, M is closed for putting the supplemental action outof service, the ducts of the group,

B, should be also cut off from communication with the. primary pneumatic cham er of-the supplemental action, because other-- wise they would constitute passages con necting their respective pneumatics of the supplemental action with the pneumatics of the primary action to which the branches, E, lead; therefore, the slide, J, is connected with the motor.pneumatic, I, for closing movement by the-action of said motor pnemnatic which closes the valve, M and for opening movement'when said valve is open. Such connection is made by a rod, J, extending to one arm of a horizontal rock shaft, j,-whi'ch has another arm, j, to which is connected the link, j, which extends, as above stated, to the lever arm, m

of the rock shaft; m.

- When theinstrument is to ,be ope 'ated with perforated controllersheets cut for playing only (35 notes insteadof the full range of 88 notes and for playing this number without melody supplement, the supplemental action is put entirelyout of service by the means above described, and the slide, ll. carrying the branch group of eleven end tubes, 0", moved for closing communication of said tubes with their respective primary pneumaties of the principal action. F or such movement, the slide, H, is connected by a link. H with a lever, H, mounted in convenient position for manipulation by the operator. For operating with perforated rolls out for playing a full range of 88 notes withoutmelody supplement, the

supplementalaction is put out of service by the means'above described, and the lever, H is adjusted to open position of the slide, H.

It will be understood that the elements which are called slides in the foregoing description,-that is,-the bars to which the flexible tubes are connected for shifting the connections of the tracker ducts with respect to the pneumatic actions,are in effect valves controlling the communications leading through them, and they are referred to in the claims as valve-bars. It will also be understood that. the direction and character of their movement on their seats for" controlling their communications are modified as convenience may determine, and that there is no necessary limitation to the longi-.

'tudinal movement for that purpose.

I claim a 1. In an interior player -p'1'ano,,in combination with the manual keys, a principal independently of the motor pneumatics of the other action; a tracker .device having 'tracker ducts comprising a groupconnecte directly with the prmcipal action; a second.-

groupconnected directly with the supplemental action. and a third groupbranched .i'or' connection w th both actions; valve bars ofsaid pneumatic actions group connected directly mounted on .such actions respectively to which the branches of said group of ducts respectivelyare connected, such valve bars being movable for effecting and cutting oflt' communication with .said actions respectively, and means for operating said valve ars.

. 2. In an'intcrior player piano, in cornbination with the manual keys, a-wprincipal pneumatic action and a supplemental pneumatic-action, the motor neumatics of each being mounted for actuatin the hammer action of the piano indepen ently of the motor pneumatics of the other action; a tracker device having tracker ducts comprising a group connected directly withthe principal action; a second with the supplemental action, and a third group branched for connection with both actions; valve bars mounted on such actions respectively to which'the branches of said groupiofducts respectively are connected, such valve bars being movable for effecting and cutting off communication with said actions respectively;- motor pneumatics connected with said valve bars for operating the same; primary Pneumatics controlling said motor pneumatics; air connections forsaid primary pneumatics, and valves accessible for operation at will controlling such air communications.

3. In'an interior player piano, in combination with the manual keys, a principal pneumatic action and a supplemental pneu-- matic action, one mounted above the portion of the keys rearward of their fulcrums and the other mounted belolt l said portion of the keys; a tracker device having tracker ducts comprising a-group connected directly with the principal action; a second 3 group con- 7 nected directly with the supplemental action,

and a'third group branched for. connection with both said actions; valvebnrs mounted on sa1d actions respectively to which the branches of said third group of ducts respectively are connected, such valve bars being movable for effecting and cutting off communication with said actions respectively, and means for operating said valve bars in-' dependently-of each other.

4. In an interior player piano, in'combination with the manual keys, a principal pneumatic action and a' supplementalpneumatic action, one mounted above the portion of the keys rearward of their fulcrums and comprising a: group- -the rincipal action,

with the supplementalaction,

with both said actions; valve bars mounted the other-mounted below said portion of the keys; a tracker device having tracker ducts connected directly with a second group connectirectly and a third roup branched for connection on said actions respectively to which the branches of said third group of ducts reand a third group 'operating 'bars controlling communication with said ently of each other the spectively are connected, such valve bars being movable for efi'ecting and cutting off communication with said actions respectively; motor pneumatics connected'with said valve bars for operating the same; primary pneumatics controlling said motor pneumatics;

air connections for such primary pneumatics, I

and valves accessible for operation at will controlling such air communications.

5. In an interior. player piano, in combination with the manual keys, a principal pneumatic action and a supplemental pneumatic action, one mounted above the portion of the keys rearward of their fulcrums and the other mounted below said portion ofthe keys; a tracker device having tracker ductscomprising agroup connected directly with the principal action, a second group connect? ed directly with branched for connection with both said actions; valve'bars'mounted the supplemental action,

on said actions respectively to which the branches of said third group of ducts respec tively are connected, such valve bars being movable for effecting and cutting off comniunication with said actions'respectively;

an exhaust chamber commumcating with the supplemental action; a valve which controls such tions respectively for actuating the hammer action of the piano; a tracker device havin tracker ducts comprising a group connecte directly with the principal action, a second group connected directly with the sup lemental action, and a for connection with both said actions; valve actions respectively to which the branches of said third group connected, 'such valve bars being movable third group branc ed' 1'15 of ducts respectlvely are a,

for effecting and cutting off communication with the respective actions; motor pneumatics connected with the valve bars for operat-. ing the same, andmeans for controlling such motor neumatics at will. 5

7. In an interior player piano,lin combi nation with the manual keys, a principal action and a supplemental action, and connections-from the motorpneum'atics of said actions respectively for actuating independtracker ducts piano; a tracker dlevice havin d 1 h ir'ect y wit comprising a gro p connecte hammer action of the i the principal action; a second group coninatics connected with the valve bars for 0pnected directly with the supplemental action, crating the same, and means for controlling and a third group branched for connection such motor pneumatics at will. with both said actions; valve bars control- Tn testimony whereof, T have hereunto set 5 ling communication with said actions remy hand at Chicago, Illinois, this 25th day 15 specti\ ely to which the branches of said of March, 1909.

third group of ducts respectively are con- I MELVILLE CLARK. nccted, such valve bars being movable for I htnesses: effectlng and cutting off communication JULIA S. ABBOTT,

1) with the respective actions; motor pneu- SOPHIE B. \VERNER. 

